Sermons on Ray:

The Rebel Son And The Loving Father

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Mar 19, 2007

Jesus’ purpose is to teach us that we have become lost in sin through our own wilful actions and that God has loved us back to Himself.

The Rebel Son and the Loving Father THE MESSAGE: Lk 15:11 “Then he said, ‘There was once a man who had two sons. 12 The younger said to his father, “Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.” 13 It wasn’t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

What's Good About Good Friday

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 2, 2007

Palm Sunday to Good Friday is 5 days. One Third of the combined narratives of the four Gospels describes the last week of Christ’s life, His death, and resurrection.

“What’s Good About Good Friday?” John 12:12-19 John 19:16-22 This Sunday represents the beginning of Holy Week. Palm Sunday to Good Friday is 5 days. One Third of the combined narratives of the four Gospels describes the last week of Christ’s life, His death, and resurrection. John ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Free Methodist

What Can You Do With Talking Rocks?

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Apr 2, 2007

That the Person of the revealed Messiah calls us to decide to follow the crowd and the Pharisees or to follow Him in praise, worship and service.

What Can You Do With Talking Rocks? Sermon for 1 April 2007 “Then, as He (Jesus) was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: ’Blessed is the King who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:29-40

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Our Promised Messiah

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 4, 2006

Like John the Baptizer we need to be reminded from time to time that Jesus is our promised Messiah.

Jesus our Promised Messiah Matthew 11:1-6 John the Baptizer was now in prison for preaching about the Kingdom of God. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus question: “Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” (Matthew 11:3 NLT) This question ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-6

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Fully Devoted Disciple

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 12, 2006

This message was given at memorial service for a long-time member of the Willow Vale Community Church.

Virgil Lorenz – A Fully Devoted Disciple Memorial Service December 9, 2006 When I reflected on the life and family of Virgil Lorenz there were several scriptures that came to my mind. For the past nine years I have served as Virgil’s pastor and believe that Virgil modeled what a fully devoted ...read more

Scripture: John 3:30

Denomination: Free Methodist

One Stop Shopping

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 24, 2006

There is only one place I know where we can go for one-stop shopping and fill the void in a person’s heart and life. The place is actually a person – Jesus.

“One Stop Shopping” Isaiah 9:1-7 At our stage of life with 4 children and 14 grandchildren Carollyn and I try to keep our Christmas shopping simple. When our children were younger we would race from store to store trying to buy the latest toy for our children. Do any of you remember the Cabbage ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Jesus The True Light Of Christmas

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 24, 2006

Ever since the brightness of heaven flooded the hills of Bethlehem; and the far off twinkling star guided Eastern wise-men to the new born King…Christ has been the Light of the world, and we have celebrated Christmas with colorful lights.

Jesus the True Light of Christmas John 1:1-9 Isaiah 9:1-2 The Apostle John in his Gospel the first chapter gives us a description of the person and work of Jesus Christ. :”In the beginning was the Word, (Jesus) and the Word (Jesus) was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-9

Denomination: Free Methodist

Unwrap The Gift Of Joy This Christmas

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 24, 2006

The angel said, “I bring you good news.” Christ is our good news of great joy.. Regardless of the circumstances, the pain, or problems, we look to Jesus, He is our good news. In Christ we can face life with optimism and joy.

Un-wrap the Gift of Joy this Christmas Luke 2:10 “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” The angel said, “I bring you good news.” Christ is our good news of great joy.. Regardless of the circumstances, the pain, or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10, Luke 3:10-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

Prepare For Summer Spiritual Harvest

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 11, 2007

This message focusing on challenging the congergation to participate in reaching out for a summer harvest.

Let’s Prepare for a Summer Harvest Matthew 9:37-38 What are your plans for this summer? Are you planning on spending extra time with your family and relatives? Are you planning a vacation to have fun in the sun? This summer I want us to think about preparing for a summer harvest. I have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Free Methodist

Trusting God To Provide

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Jun 11, 2007

If God tells you to do something unusual or even illogical in order to meet a need you have...obey Him anyway!

Trusting God to Provide Introduction Today’s sermon is called “Trusting God to Provide.” Our reading tells a story about God’s provision, a poor widow and a prophet called Elijah. Elijah, you will remember, is the one who appears at Jesus’ transfiguration Elijah represented all the Prophets of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Baptist

Fathers: Bless Your Family

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 18, 2007

The scriptures teach that a father’s blessing makes a great difference on the life of a son or daughter getting his blessing.

Fathers: Bless Your Family Matthew 3:16-17 Our attitudes toward our father tend to change over the years. My Father When I Was …. 4 years old: My daddy can do anything. 5 years old: My daddy knows a whole lot. 6 years old: My dad is smarter than your dad. 8 years old: My dad doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

What It Means To Be A Fully Devoted Disciple

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Sep 18, 2006

There is a difference in the life-style of a fully devoted disciple and one who is not fully devoted.

What it Means to be a Fully Devoted Disciple Luke 9:23-26 Luke 9:57-62 There is a difference in the life-style of a fully devoted disciple and one who is not fully devoted. When I think of my life as a new Christian I was like a roller coaster. I was up and down in my spiritual life. I had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Free Methodist

The Positive Side Of Doubt

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 4, 2006

There is a positive side of doubt. When doubts push us to study and examine why we believe what we believe the searching can help us grow spiritually.

The Positive Side of Doubt -How Doubts can help you grow spiritually- Apostle’s Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:2-4

Denomination: Free Methodist

Welcome Home

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 16, 2006

Jesus told three parables about lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. The stories highlight the truth that missing people matter to God. God places tremendous value on every individual. All heaven rejoices when one person repents and turns to God.

“Welcome Home” Luke 15:11-27 Those of you who have had or currently have sons can closely identify with the story Jesus told about a rebellious son. The rebellious son was the teenager and the other son was obedient and probably in his twenties. In Luke chapter 15 Luke records that Jesus made ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-27

Denomination: Free Methodist

Your Greatest Freedom

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jul 2, 2007

This message responds to the 21st century views in America that believe all truth is relative.

Your Greatest Freedom -Truth Will Set You Free John 8:31-36 As we celebrate the 4th of July this week we need to praise God that for now we are still “A Nation under God.” We live in a country founded upon the principles of freedom. For the past 230 years America has been led for the most part ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Free Methodist